My name is Maya Ibanez, and I am creating this GoFundMe for my mom, Emma Romero, during the most difficult time our family has ever faced.

In November 2025, my mom began to feel sick. She went to the hospital and was told she had pneumonia. After several weeks and multiple rounds of antibiotics, she was not improving—in fact, she continued to feel worse. One of her earliest symptoms was profound weakness and weight loss. She returned to the hospital due to worsening symptoms just a couple of weeks later.

When I went to visit her during that hospitalization, she told me she had discovered a lump in her right breast and was experiencing severe liver pain. A biopsy of her liver was completed, and while we were waiting for the results, she was discharged home.

Shortly after being discharged, my mom called me saying her pain had become more severe and that she was having shortness of breath more frequently. On January 11th, 2026, my mom called me and confirmed the devastating diagnosis: stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her liver.

My mom is only 54 years old—far too young. She is an incredible mother who has always done everything she could to make her children happy. She also has a 13-year-old son, and the weight of knowing how deeply she is loved by her children makes this loss even more heartbreaking.

Immediately, we began searching for any possible treatment options to help prolong her life through chemotherapy without having insurance. However, a couple days passed by and her condition continued to rapidly decline. She returned to the emergency department due to increased weakness, severe liver pain, and increased shortness of breath. She was admitted again, this time requiring higher doses of pain medication and supplemental oxygen.

I then received a call from her doctor explaining that chemotherapy was no longer an option. At this stage, treatment would cause more harm than good. After many long, emotional conversations together, my mom and I made the incredibly difficult decision to transition to hospice care so she can be comfortable, at peace, and free from suffering. At this time, we do not know how much longer she has.

I have now stepped in as my mom’s full-time caregiver as she enters the end-of-life stage. She is currently living with me and my husband in our one bedroom apartment. I made space for her here and am ensuring she has her own bedroom and everything she needs to make her feel most comfortable. She is resting, and I am caring for her day and night. I made the decision to resign from my job to be with her and support her during this time.

I have been working as an oncology nurse for almost a year, and I always looked forward to caring for my patients as they fought cancer. However, watching my own mom go through this battle has been unbearable. As difficult as this is, I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to care for her now. I am so thankful that she is safe here with me, and that I am able to spend her last days caring for her—ensuring her comfort, dignity, and peace in every way possible.

We have had many heartfelt conversations about her wishes. My mom would like to be cremated. The funds raised through this GoFundMe will be used specifically to help cover her cremation, an urn, and some additional basic living expenses as I care for her during hospice.

Anything you are able to give—no matter how small—will help ease finances during this time and allow me to focus on being present with my mom and our family.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, praying, and supporting us in any way. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Update — February 2, 2026

With heavy hearts, we share that our mom passed peacefully in her sleep on February 1st, 2026. We are grateful that she was comfortable and surrounded by love in her final days.

Right now, our family is searching for a burial place where her ashes can be laid to rest — somewhere where family and loved ones can come sit with her and visit whenever they wish. We want to create a peaceful, permanent place to honor her life and memory.

Any additional donations will go directly toward the burial of her urn, funeral home costs, a memorial plaque, and related expenses. Your continued support, prayers, and kindness mean more to us than we can express during this difficult time. Thank you for helping us give her the dignified resting place she deserves.